LEWIS ROLLS TO FIRST EVER SPOKANE RACEWAY PARK VICTORY

Source: LMCS Media Relations/dp
Date: 07/15/2007

SPOKANE, Washington –Gary Lewis captured the TC Transportation 125 held Saturday night at Spokane Raceway Park for the Late Model Challenge Series.

Garrett Evans was second followed by Jeff Jefferson.

Wes Rhodes and Jim Warn rounded out the top-5.

Rhodes and his Knight Fire Protection Chevrolet led the field to the green flag based on a six-car invert. Jefferson captured the Mechanix Wear Pole Award with a new track record on 17.866-seconds at a speed of 100.750 mph.

Warn held the early lead on the field through lap 14 before Evans moved by the Aurora, OR driver on the outside of turn No. 2.

Over the next 50 laps Evans extended his Leonard Evans Hyundai & Used Car Superstore Chevrolet to as much as a 10-car lead over Lewis who had disposed of Rhodes for second place over the first 20 laps of the event.

Evans blistering pace pushed all but seven cars to one lap down by the 78th circuit on the high-banked .500-mile surface.

Lewis, the series points leader coming into the sixth race of the season, saved his tires for a late race run and by lap 85 began to mount pressure on Evans.

Running to the back of Mark Owens on lap 97, Evans was forced to check up coming off turn No. 2 for the slowing Kalispell, MT driver opening the door for Lewis to squeeze by entering turn No. 3 for the lead.

The evening’s final caution flew on lap 109 and gave Evans one last chance to get past Lewis. The East Wenatchee, WA driver moved as close as two car lengths in the final laps but was unable to clear the LMCS points leader for the victory.

The drive of the evening belonged to MJ2 Ford driver Jefferson, who started in sixth based on the invert and battled his way through lapped traffic and a stubborn Owens to bring home a podium finish.

Lewis’ victory marks his second in a row and third overall for the 2007 season and increases his points lead over Jefferson heading into the Aug. 4 event to be held at Stateline Speedway in Post Falls, ID.

“I could see that Garrett’s car was going away there a little bit and I was just riding around trying to save my tires,” said Lewis in victory lane. “With the 44 forcing Garrett to check up on the backstretch that was the break we needed and I was able to get by for the lead.

“I have to thank Eibach Springs, Travelodge of downtown Spokane, Nutter Racing Engines, Sandblasters and everyone at the Sign Factory for being there for us for this race. We’re on a roll with what we’re doing right now and I’m getting more comfortable with how this car feels. We’re in such a good groove right now and we’re going to focus on staying that way each week,” Lewis added.

For Evans, who led the most laps for the 125-lap event, there was a feeling of uncertainty approaching Owens late in the race, he said.

“We were talking about that on the radio about what he (Owens) was going to do when we got to him. I was getting off turn No.2 real good tonight but it was getting soft off (turn No.) 1 and then we came to him and that causes us to slow up and Gary got by.

“The track was great to race on and is an awesome place. We definitely don’t have a high-banked .500-mile to race on here in the Northwest like this one. I have to thank Rick from Spokane Raceway Park for having us and I hope we’re able to come back here next year,” Evans added.

While losing ground to Lewis in the points standings, Jefferson maintains the overall focus of his team heading towards Stateline in two weeks, he said.

“We’re out here trying to win every race and the points will work themselves out. With time running out tonight I knew we needed a caution to catch up there at the end but you’ve got to be smart with only a handful of laps left.”

The next event for the Late Model Challenge Series is set for Aug. 4, 2007 at Stateline Speedway. To learn more log onto www.latemodelchallenge.com

TC Transportation 125 Final Results: Finishing position, (starting position), laps completed

1) (4) Gary Lewis 125 laps
2) (5) Garrett Evans 125
3) (6) Jeff Jefferson 125
4) (1) Wes Rhodes 125
5) (2) Jim Warn 125
6) (7) Brandon Riehl 124l
7) (4) Mark Owens 124
8) (11) Rick Thompson 124
9) (17) Shelby Thompson 123
10) (13) Don Vickery 122
11) (10) Brent Harris 121
12) (14) Jarrod Crum 121
13) (9) Kevin Richards 104
14) (15) Joe McNeil 99
15) (8) Erik Hargraves 66
16) (16) Mark Oergel 60
17) (12) Scott Davis 20
18) (18) Ryan Fisher 0

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